I have a 2003 Kia Sorento..crankshaft pulley bolt broke, steering went out, belts and bolt fell off and air stopped working. This is the second time this has happened to me in the past 6 months. The result of this problems caused me to buy a new senor that was $400. After looking on the internet, it seems as though hundreds and maybe thousands of people are having a problem with this and it needs to be recalled. I was on a major highway when my steering went out and I could barely turn the car because the steering had locked. This is extremely dangerous and could potentially injure someone or others around them..please investigate this case.

- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA

I have a 2003 Kia Sorento. As I left the garage at my office around 6 P.M. Monday 11/16, the car began making a horrible squealing noise. It immediately lost power steering, several warning lights came on, and it felt like the parking brake was on (it wasn't). I managed to get out of the garage to a space on the street. I turned the car off. When I tried to start it again, it wouldn't start. I had it towed to a service station, which said the car had thrown its drive belts and that it needed a new crankshaft balancer pulley, crankshaft sprocket, crankshaft pulley bolt and crankshaft pulley washer to fix the underlying cause. I called Kia customer service to see if there was a recall related to those parts. There was a recall in 2007 and my car was serviced at that time as ordered by Kia. Kia said Tuesday that they would only consider paying for needed repairs if I had the car towed to a Kia dealership. I had it towed to king Kia in gaithersburg, md., at my expense. The service writer, wayne johnson, told me that the garage that had put my new timing belt on had left a bolt loose. He told me his mechanic put the three drive belts back on. He told me I needed a new battery (though the current battery was only 2 years old) because the current one wasn't holding a charge. I told him to put one on. He told me the car was running fine and ready to go. I assumed -- it now turns out, wrongly -- that the Kia mechanic had tightened whatever bolt he found loose. I picked up the car Wednesday night and drove it straight home. When I started it yesterday morning to leave for work, I drove it about 1.5 blocks and the steering locked up, the brake and battery warning lights came on, and it felt like the parking brake was on. This time the engine kept running. I brought it back home and called the Kia garage back. Wayne now admits the mechanic never looked for an underlying cause. He simply put the old drive belts on and a new battery in. Today he says it needs a new crank pulley.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

My 2003 Kia Sorento stopped with no warning or indication of a problem at 67,735 miles due to what was later determined to be engine overheating. At first the Kia dealer said it was due to the coolant reservoir cracking and going empty. Since this is not a part of the engine's actual means of cooling, they changed their story to the thermostat failed. Kia said that this portion of the warranty passed at 65,000 miles. Their warranty says 100,000 miles. Cost over $3,600 to repair, similar situation at 80,000 miles for $1,400. Still no warranty coverage. I have furnished complete maintenance records showing maintenance at every interval required by Kia. Looking for some one to join in a class action suit.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

The vehicle was purchased in April 03. Not long after that there was a strange sound, then there was oil leak under the car. Took it in. Checked. Did dye check. Replaced some bolts. Replaced a part. Every few months up to today Feb 2006, there has been an oil leak. Taking car again to dealer on Feb 3, 2006 to see what they say now. The oil is felt when one touches under the car and there is a puddle in the driveway (oil stain). The car has only been serviced by the Kia mechanics at the Kia dealer. Criswell Kia as of January 06 no longer services Kia. I have to now take the car to farrish Kia in Virginia.

- Alexandria, VA, USA